News stories from Wednesday February 18, 1970
Summaries of the stories the major media outlets considered to be of particular importance on this date:
- A federal jury in Chicago found no conspiracy in the violence at the Democratic convention in 1968. All defendants were found not guilty of conspiracy, but five are guilty of crossing state lines to incite a riot. David Dellinger, Rennie Davis, Tom Hayden, Abbie Hoffman and Jerry Rubin face prison terms of five years each for being found guilty. [CBS]
- The Senate voted to require the federal government to enforce school desegregation uniformly nationwide. It was the first major civil rights victory for the South in 15 years. [CBS]
- House Democrats gave a vote of confidence to Speaker John McCormack, rejecting the challenge to the party leader, 192 to 23. Opponents vowed to continue the struggle. [CBS]
- Arthur Burns, chairman of the Federal Reserve Board, said that if the economy slows down, the board might relax its tight money policy. Walter Heller said he expects easing to occur within a month. [CBS]
- The federal government charged ten firms with polluting the water around Chicago, Illinois and Gary, Indiana; they now face fines. [CBS]
- Philippine citizens broke into the U.S. embassy compound in Manila and shattered windows. Marines used tear gas on them when police were slow to show up. The U.S. Ambassador complained to President Ferdinand Marcos about the incident. [CBS]
- U.S. involvement in the war in Laos has been escalated by B-52 bombers directly supporting Laotian troops in the Plain of Jarres. There was no bombing over South Vietnam today, but 7 Americans were killed when their helicopter was shot down. More Americans were killed when South Vietnam accidently shelled an American position. [CBS]
- West German Chancellor Willy Brandt announced that he is willing to meet East Germany's Willi Stoph in East Berlin, but only without pre-conditions. [CBS]
- President Nixon's State of the World message to Congress says that the Cold War is ending and the Age of Negotiations is beginning. The message contains blunt language towards Russia over its missile build-up and aid to the Arabs; the U.S. may give more help to Israel as a result. Nixon wants increased contact with China, and he is optimistic about Vietnam. In the summary of his message, the President says that he wants to reduce the role of the U.S. as world policeman.
The Soviet response declared that United States policy is unchanged, and still accentuates force as the basis of its foreign policy.
[CBS] - The Army has suspects but not prime suspects in the bizarre murders of the wife and daughters of an Army doctor at Fort Bragg. The Army is questioning Capt. Jeffrey MacDonald's patients. [CBS]
- Police Sgt. Bryan McDonald has died as a result of injuries from the recent bomb explosion at a San Francisco police station. [CBS]
- Black students ended their five hour occupation of a building at Amherst College, with their demands still unsatisfied. [CBS]
- Frank Sinatra appeared before a investigation commission in New Jersey. Contempt charges were dropped after he answered all questions. [CBS]
- The Chicago conspiracy trial was the first test for the 1968 anti-riot law in the Civil Rights Act. Followers of the defendants reacted violently to the jail sentences. In Seattle, 1,500 protesters assaulted the federal courthouse then went on a rampage. Similar demonstrations occurred in Berkeley, California, and in New York City. "Chicago 7" defendant Rennie Davis urged people to cross state lines to disrupt the Republican National Convention in 1972. [CBS]
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Stock Market Report
Dow Jones Industrial Average: 756.80 (+9.37, +1.25%)
Arms Index is the ratio of volume per declining issue to volume per advancing issue; a figure below 1.0 is bullish. | |||||||||||||||
| Market Index Trends | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date | DJIA | S&P | Volume* |
| February 17, 1970 | 747.43 | 86.37 | 10.14 |
| February 16, 1970 | 753.70 | 86.47 | 9.78 |
| February 13, 1970 | 753.30 | 86.54 | 11.06 |
| February 12, 1970 | 755.61 | 86.73 | 10.01 |
| February 11, 1970 | 757.33 | 86.94 | 12.26 |
| February 10, 1970 | 746.63 | 86.10 | 10.11 |
| February 9, 1970 | 755.68 | 87.01 | 10.83 |
| February 6, 1970 | 752.77 | 86.33 | 10.15 |
| February 5, 1970 | 750.26 | 85.99 | 9.43 |
| February 4, 1970 | 754.49 | 86.24 | 11.04 |